Potato Production Research Articles

Evaluation of Irish Potato Genotypes (<i>Solanum tuberosum</i> L.) Against Diseases for Adaptability in Sierra Leone

Irish Potato is an emerging crop of high economic value in Sierra Leone. Cultivation of the crop is limited, and farmers are faced with numerous problems in the production of the crop. This research was done to identify diseases resistant adaptable sweet potato genotypes under Sierra Leone condition. Six Irish potato genotypes collected from the Futa Jalon highlands in Guinea were evaluated in Kabala and Njala during 2013 and 2014 cropping season. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Data was collected on agronomic parameters as wells as pest and disease. Data was analyzed using analysis of variance. Mean comparison was done using least significant difference (LSD) at 5% probability. Findings revealed that Kabala exhibited higher field establishment rates compared to Moyamba, with Spunta, Arnova, Nicola, and Mandola displaying significantly higher establishment percentages. Similarly, Spunta consistently exhibited the largest leaf area, vine length and highest plant vigor scores across locations. While all genotypes were susceptible to Potato Virus Disease (PVD), bacterial blight, and late blight, Spunta displayed the highest resistance to these diseases. Variations in tuber number and weight per plant were observed, with Spunta (4.4 and 3.6 t/ha) and Mandola (3.5 t/ha) showing the highest yields at both locations respectively. Notably, Spunta consistently outperformed other genotypes in terms of yield across both locations. These findings underscore the importance of genotype selection tailored to local conditions and the need for disease management strategies to enhance potato production and food security in Sierra Leone. Further research focusing on breeding programs targeting disease resistance and yield optimization is warranted to address the productivity challenges faced by Irish potato cultivation in Sierra Leone.

Enhancing crop productivity and its economic farm profitabilty of smallholder farmer through the use of green manures from Alnus acuminata

Decline in soil fertility is a major threat to land productivity and food security in the East African highlands. This calls for the application of nutrient inputs to improve crop productivity. A study was conducted in Nyabihu District of Rwanda from 2013 to 2016 to assess the effect of Alnus acuminata green manure (AGM)─applied in situ, through biomass alone, or combined with inorganic fertilizer─on the productivity and profitability of maize (Zea mays), beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), and potato (Solanum tuberosum). The treatments included application of AGM, inorganic fertilizer, combination of AGM and inorganic fertilizer, and unfertilized plot as a control (except for potato). These treatments were compared in two seasons and on two local soil fertility levels (medium and high) as defined by the farmer’s knowledge and experience. There was a convergence between farmers’ criteria and soil analysis in the soil fertility evaluation. Crops yields were analyzed using a linear mixed model while for other parameters, descriptive statistics were applied. The combination of AGM and inorganic fertilizer recorded the highest increment in maize (44%) and bean (46%) yields compared with inorganic fertilizer while it increased up to 87% compared with the unfertilized control. The financial analysis showed that AGM + inorganic fertilizer recorded the highest value-to-cost ratio (VCR) of 24.6 for potato and a significantly lower VCR (2.9) for maize and beans. The high VCR highlights a significant potential contribution of AGM + inorganic fertilizer to increase incomes of resource-constrained potato farmers in the Rwandan highlands. However, low crop prices possibly make this practice less attractive for those cultivating maize and beans.

Single and mixed infections of six major potato viruses in four major potato-growing districts of eastern Ethiopia

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is a co-staple food and a source of cash income for the smallholder farmers' in eastern Ethiopia; however, the productivity of the crop is constrained by biotic and abiotic factors. Of which viruses are considered to be major yield limiting factor, but information is lacking on the prevalence and distribution of potato viruses in major growing districts of eastern Ethiopia. This research is therefore initiated to assess and determine the status of six major and multiple potato viruses' infection at farmers' fields during the main rainy and irrigation seasons in four major potato-growing districts of eastern Ethiopia. The dot-blot assays performed for 1000 leaf samples collected from 20 farmers' fields during the two seasons indicated an overall high incidence (71.9% samples detected positive for at least one virus) of potato virus in the surveyed districts of the regions. The most prevalent (19.4%) type of infection was the mixture of all six potato viruses. Among the major viruses, the results also confirmed PVM as the most prevalent (57.3%) virus followed by PVY (48.1%), whereas PVA (45.1%), which was not commonly detected in the other regions of the country, was detected as third most prevalent virus in the current study. The comparison of the results of virus detection in the samples from two seasons indicated remarkable differences in the incidence and prevalence of viruses, where an increasing trend of virus incidence and mixed virus infections from 59 to 84.8% and 41.2 to 72%, respectively, were recorded from rainy to irrigation season. The two viruses; PVX and PVS, which were identified as least prevalent during rainy season, were ranked the 3rd and 4th most prevalent viruses after PVM and PVY during irrigation season. The detected high incidence of virus in potato plants during this first systemic research conducted suggested the importance of continuing the intensive survey and detecting the status of viruses' infection in potato growing districts of eastern Ethiopia. It is also suggested to create awareness among smallholder farmers about the management practices to reduce the effects of viruses’ infection on the productivity of potato in eastern Ethiopia.

State of Art on Potato Production in South Asian Countries and their Yield Sustainability

State of Art on Potato Production in South Asian Countries and their Yield Sustainability

The Application of Deep Learning in the Whole Potato Production Chain: A Comprehensive Review

The Application of Deep Learning in the Whole Potato Production Chain: A Comprehensive Review

Effects of Blended NPSZnB Fertilizer Rates on Yield and Quality Traits of Potato (<i>Solanum tuberosum</i> L) at Assosa District

Potato is ranked third after rice and wheat in terms of consumption in the world, and first among root and tuber crops. However, the production is limited by several factors including low in soil fertility, lack of improved varieties, inappropriate spacing, and other poor agronomic management. The objective of the present study is to recognize the optimum rate of the blended NPSZnB and potassium fertilizers for profitable production of potato at Assosa area. The experiment was laid out in RCBD with arrangement of split plot in three replications. The main plot consisted of two potato varieties i.e. Belete and Gudane varieties. The subplot consisted of four levels of blended NPSZnB with potassium chloride rates, one recommended NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) and unfertilized plot. The interaction effects of potato tuber size distribution and quality traits were not significantly (P>0.05) affected by different rates of NPSZnB with adjusted nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium chloride fertilizers and different potato varieties. Out of different potato varieties, Belete variety gave the highest yield as compared to Gudane variety. The highest total tuber yield and large sized tuber yield were obtained by the application of 200% NPSZnB (35.4N+70.6P<sub>2</sub>O<sub>5</sub>+15.2S+0.5B+4.4Zn) +138 kg<sub> </sub>K<sub>2</sub>O ha<sup>-1</sup>, with adjusted 184.6kg N+ 109.6kg P<sub>2</sub>O<sub>5 </sub>per ha therefore, we are tentatively recommended for beneficiaries at Assosa area.

Organic substitution regime with optimized irrigation improves potato water and nitrogen use efficiency by regulating soil chemical properties rather than microflora structure

Context or problemImproving water and fertilizer use efficiency is an inevitable choice for sustainable potato production in North China. However, the regulation mechanism of potato water and nitrogen use efficiency under water-nitrogen coupling (W-N) regime is still unknown. Objective or research questionThe objectives from a 3-year field experiment were (1) to assess the impact of W-N regimes on potato yield and water and nitrogen use efficiency, (2) to elucidate the soil microflora structure under W-N regimes, and (3) to determine the relationship between soil chemical properties, microflora structure, and potato water and nitrogen use efficiency. MethodsA three-year two-factor split-zone potato field experiment was conducted in arid and semi-arid regions of the Inner Mongolian Plateau, with irrigation [(rainfed (W0), optimized (soil-based) irrigation (W1), conventional irrigation (W2)] as the primary treatment and N fertilizer [no N (N0), chemical N (N1), 25 % manure substitution (N2)] as the secondary treatment. ResultsPotato yield and water productivity followed N2 > N1 > N0, and partial nitrogen productivity and nitrogen agronomic efficiency followed N2 > N1 at the same irrigation level. Potato yield, nitrogen internal efficiency, partial nitrogen productivity and nitrogen agronomic efficiency first increased and then decreased, whereas water productivity gradually decreased with increasing irrigation levels under the same fertilization regime. Moreover, potato yield, soil total nitrogen, organic carbon, and microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen content peaked with the W1N2 regime. W-N regimes significantly influenced soil microbial community structure. Soil microbial α-diversity was less variable under W1 and N2 conditions. Soil bacterial network complexity and robustness were higher in W1 and W2 than in W0 regimes, whereas the opposite was true for fungi. The complexity and robustness of the soil bacterial and fungal network demonstrated for three fertilization regimes were higher in N1 and N2 than in N0 regimes. Neutral community model showed that soil microflora in W-N regime was mainly influenced by stochastic processes. PLSPM showed that organic substitution regime with optimized irrigation improves potato water and nitrogen use efficiency by regulating soil chemical properties rather than microflora structure. ConclusionsW1N2 regime synergizes well to improve potato water and N use efficiency and soil microflora stability, and organic substitution regime with optimized irrigation improves potato water and nitrogen use efficiency by regulating soil chemical properties. Implications or significanceOur findings initially clarified the regulatory mechanisms of potato water and nitrogen use efficiency in North China, offering theoretical guidance for further optimizing irrigation and fertilization management.

StSnRK1.1 protein kinase positively regulates tuber dormancy release of potato

SnRK1 is a plant-specific serine/threonine protein kinase, that plays a vital role in maintaining the energy balance, nutrient distribution, growth, and development of organisms for survival. The period of tuber dormancy seriously affects potato production. To elucidate the effect of the StSnRK1.1 gene on dormancy release, the gene was cloned from the potato cultivar 'Desiree', and the overexpression and interfering expression lines were obtained through genetic transformation. StSnRK1.1 promoted early dormancy release and sprouting of potato tubers in the overexpression line, while it delayed tuber sprouting in the StSnRK1.1-interfering expression line. In addition, it was discovered that abscisic acid (ABA) in the StSnRK1.1 overexpression line was significantly reduced compared with the wild type plants, while the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) were increased. Conversely, the opposite result was found in the StSnRK1.1 gene interference expression line, which indicated that the dormancy release was accelerated, the reactive oxygen species metabolism efficiency was high, and the reactive oxygen species could be quickly removed and the accumulation of reactive oxygen species could be avoided during the dormancy release process. The positive regulatory genes StSnRK2.2 and StABI5 of ABA signal transduction were lower than those of wild type in the overexpression line and higher than that of the wild type in the interfering expression line, while the negative regulatory genes StPP2CA1 and StPP2CA3 of ABA signal transduction were higher than those of the wild type in the overexpression line and lower than that of the wild type in the interfering expression line. In summary, StSnRK1.1 affects ABA signaling by mediating the expression of StSnRK2.2, StABI5, StPP2CA1 and StPP2CA3, which provides a theoretical basis for the molecular mechanism of StSnRK1.1 to positively regulate the release of potato tuber dormancy. Through yeast two-hybrid (YH2) screening, two interacting proteins, StCAT3 and StFBA1, were identified. The interaction between StCAT3, StFBA1 and StSnRK1.1 was confirmed through bimolecular fluorescence complementation. These results provide novel information for further study on the molecular mechanism of StSnRK1.1 regulating dormancy and germination of potato tubers.

Benefits of controlled-release fertilizers for potato sustainable nitrogen management

The evaluation of potato response to controlled-release fertilizers (CRFs), as a sole source of nitrogen (N) or as a blend with a soluble N source, is essential to 1) develop the best management recommendations for using CRFs in potato production and 2) provide guidelines to CRF manufacturers for developing an optimal product. This study aimed to evaluate the potato yield and quality responses to N CRFs (polymer-coated urea [PCU]) vs soluble N sources. The experiments were conducted in major potato-growing regions in the United States and China. The current industry-recommended practice of 112 kg N/ha pre-plant soil broadcast of urea plus five in-season fertigations of 224 kg N/ha as urea ammonium nitrate (UAN-32) was compared to a single pre-plant application of 224 kg N/ha as a CRF as the sole source of N or as multiple blends of CRFs and soluble N sources (i.e., urea) at various ratios. The results demonstrated that petiole nitrate_N (NO3_N) levels and tuber yield with single pre-plant broadcast applications of 224 kg N/ha as CRF/urea blends (ratio of 25/75 or 50/50) were similar to those obtained with industry-standard N management practice. N uptake and yield were significantly greater with 220 kg/ha N as the CRF than those with the same N rate as urea. Unlike the current potato industry N practice, using CRFs as either a sole source of N or blended with urea reduces the total N rate and application frequency.

High-throughput near-infrared spectroscopy analysis of nutritional composition in sweet potato stem tips

Leaf-vegetable sweet potato is a nutritious food source, with stem tips as the harvest organ. However, the lack of rapid quantitative approaches for quality evaluation of stem tips largely limits the genetic improvement of leaf-vegetable sweet potato. This study aimed to establish a near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) methodology for the rapid analysis of both proximate (cellulose, crude protein, and soluble sugar) and functional (chlorogenic acid, total flavonoid content, and total phenolic content) components in the stem tips. Leveraging a dataset of 140 representative germplasm samples, we developed six robust NIRS models through the optimization of calibration sets and variable selection. These models exhibited exceptional accuracy, with high determination coefficients on calibration (R2C = 0.95–0.98), cross-validation (R2CV = 0.93–0.96), external validation (R2V = 0.91–0.95), and the ratio of prediction to deviation (RPD = 6.78–9.72). Overall, the NIRS models developed through this research facilitate high-throughput profiling of nutritional composition in stem tips, thereby enabling the swift identification of superior germplasm suited for leaf-vegetable sweet potato production.

Soil Tillage, Straw Mulching, and Microalgae Biofertilization in Potato Production in Conventional and Organic Systems

Soil Tillage, Straw Mulching, and Microalgae Biofertilization in Potato Production in Conventional and Organic Systems

Assessing the impact of organic resources and phosphorus on nutrient uptake, soil traits and seed potato productivity

AbstractImproving tuber yield size to boost seed potato (Solanum tuberosum) production efficiency is a paramount goal, particularly in Punjab, India, a major contributor to the nation's seed supply. To optimize nutrient absorption, soil quality, and yield of seed‐sized tubers, research was conducted in Ludhiana and Jalandhar over two years. Employing a split‐plot design, three organic treatments (farmyard manure [FYM], biofertilizer, control) were tested in main plots, while five phosphorus fertilizer levels (46.9, 62.5, 93.8, 125, 0 kg ha−1 P2O5) were examined in subplots. Results revealed that FYM notably enhanced nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium uptake in both haulm and tubers compared to other organics. Moreover, higher phosphorus levels, particularly 125 kg ha−1 P2O5, maximized nutrient uptake. Soil attributes like available nitrogen remained unaffected, whereas phosphorus availability increased with FYM and higher phosphorus levels. Available potassium remained consistent across treatments. Soil pH, electrical conductivity, and organic carbon were unchanged with 125 kg ha−1 P2O5 treatments. FYM and biofertilizer significantly increased total tuber yields, with FYM showing a remarkable 30% boost compared to the control, and 125 kg ha−1 P2O5 phosphorus levels resulting in a notable 24% increase, indicating enhanced seed potato production strategies. Principal component analysis underscored the positive correlation between tuber yield and soil attributes, particularly favoring FYM and 125 kg ha−1 P2O5 treatments. Overall, FYM application and optimal phosphorus fertilizer levels are pivotal for augmenting nutrient uptake, soil health, and yield in seed potato cultivation.

Evaluating the Safety of Imidacloprid FS Seed Treatment Use in Potato Production: A Case Study from China.

This study evaluated the residue behavior and dissipation dynamics of a new imidacloprid FS 600 seed treatment in potato cultivation systems in Shandong and Jilin, China. Sensitive and accurate UPLC-MS/MS methods were established to quantify imidacloprid residues in potatoes, potato plants, and soil. Results showed that imidacloprid dissipation followed a first-order kinetic model, with half-lives ranging from 6.9 to 26.7 days in plants and 19.8 to 28.9 days in soil. At harvest, the highest average residues in potatoes and soil were 0.778 mg/kg and 0.149 mg/kg, respectively. The dietary risk assessment indicated a chronic risk quotient (CRQ) of 39.73% for adults, indicating minimal risk to human consumers, while the ecological risk quotient (ERQ) and ecotoxicity exposure ratio (TER) revealed low to moderate toxicity to earthworms, warranting caution in the use of this formulation. This research provides valuable data for assessing the safety of imidacloprid FS seed treatment in potato cultivation.

Effects of farmyard manure (FYM) and blended NPSB fertilizer rate on growth and yield of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) in Gewata, Kaffa, southwest Ethiopia

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is an essential crop for nutrition and food security and generating income to small-holder farmers in Ethiopia. Productivity of the crop is, however, limited by poor nutrient management practices and low soil fertility. In most parts of potato growing areas of Ethiopia, soil are deficient in macro (nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur) and micro nutrients (boron) which are known to affect production and productivity of potato. A field trail was accompanied to determine the growing response of potatoes ’Belete varieties’ to combine the treatment of farmyard manure and blended NPSB (nitrogen, phosphorous, sulfur and boron) fertilizer at Gewata, southwest Ethiopia during 2019/2020 main cropping season. The variables are laid out four level of farmyard manure (0, 5, 10 and 15 t/ha) and four level of blended NPSB fertilizer (0, 50, 100, and 150 kg/ha). The treatments were organized in a completely randomized block design with three replications using a 4x4 factorial layout. SAS (version 9.4) was used for data were analyzed. The finding indicate that, combined application of FYM (farmyard manure) with NPSB significantly (p<0.01) affects plant height, average mass of tuber, number of marketable and unmarketable tuber per hill, and tuber yields per plot. It also significantly (p<0.05) influenced days to flowering, maturity, and tuber number per hill. The highest tuber weight (99.33 g), tuber number per hill (9.67), and yield (34.10 kg) per plot were recorded from the mixed fertilization of 15 t FYM with 150 kg/ha NPSB mineral nutrients. As a current finding, it can be stated that the combined use of FYM (15 t/ha) and NPSB blended fertilizer could improve potato growth and yield in the study area (150 kg/ha).

Trends in acrylamide content in selected potato/sweet potato products on the Canadian market

Processed plant-based foods, particularly high carbohydrate-containing foods, are among the greatest contributors to dietary acrylamide, a probable human carcinogen, uptake. Between 2009 and 2020, five surveys were conducted to determine acrylamide in high carbohydrate-containing foods in Canada. These surveys included sampling of potato and sweet potato chips, French fries, and frozen potato/sweet potato products, as a follow-up to our earlier surveys from 2002 - 2008. Samples were analyzed using isotope dilution (13C3-acrylamide) with LC-MS/MS. The highest mean acrylamide levels were found in sweet potato chips. Among potato chips (57 to 4660 ng g−1), one brand consistently showed the highest concentrations with wide variability. Acrylamide concentrations decreased over time in ready-to-eat French fries (from 480 to 358 ng g−1), and one brand showed a clear reduction temporally. Wide variations were observed among brands, among lots/outlets of same brands, and among different food chains. Acrylamide levels in potato chips decreased between 2009 and 2016 (504.3 ng g−1) relative to the period 2002 - 2008 (1096.9 ng g−1). The acrylamide trends observed in the products measured in the latest study indicate that food producers may have adopted mitigation strategies.

Small soil wetted proportion and emitter flow rate of drip irrigation enhance potato yield by improving soil water and aeration in the sandy loam in arid Northwest China

Creating an ideal soil microclimate through appropriate drip irrigation management practices is crucial for enhancing potato production. Field experiments were conducted during 2021 and 2022 in Wuwei, Gansu Province, Northwest China, with two soil wetted proportion levels (P1: 35 %, and P2: 55 %) and three emitter flow rates (F1: 1.3 L/h, F2: 2.0 L/h, and F3: 3.0 L/h). Results showed that for the same soil wetted proportion, soil water content was reduced in the 0–20 cm soil layer and increased in the 20–40 cm for F1 compared to F2 and F3, with no differences in the 40–60 cm depth. During the tuber initiation and bulking stages, the soil wetted proportion P1 increased soil oxygen saturation by 2.8 % and 0.7 % and reduced CO2 concentration by 26.7 % and 19.2 % in 2021 and 2022, respectively, compared to P2 in the 20–40 cm soil layer. The emitter flow rate F1 exhibited significantly greater soil oxygen (0.7–4.6 %) and lower CO2 concentration (16–46 %) than F2 and F3 in the 0–20 cm. Soil oxygen was significantly higher (0.5–2.1 %) and CO2 concentration was significantly lower (10–39 %) in the 20–40 cm in F1 than in F3. In the 0–40 cm soil layer, both the highest soil oxygen concentration and lowest CO2 concentration were observed for the P1F1 combination. The soil wetted proportion P1 increased average yield by 5.6 % in 2021 and 11.9 % in 2022 compared to P2, while F2 and F3 reduced yield by 2.4 % and 4.6 % in 2021, 4.1 % and 13.8 % in 2022 compared to F1. The soil wetted proportion P2 promoted source growth compared to P1 but limited sink expansion. Source capacity, sink growth, and average tuber growth rates decreased from F1 to F3. Overall, the 35 % soil wetted proportion and 1.3 L/h emitter flow rate are recommended for potato cultivation in sandy loam. This study clarified the importance of coordinating soil water and aeration by drip irrigation management to improve potato tuber production.

Dry Matter Accumulation, Water Productivity and Quality of Potato in Response to Regulated Deficit Irrigation in a Desert Oasis Region.

As one of the most important food crops, the potato is widely planted in the oasis agricultural region of Northwest China. To ascertain the impact of regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) on various facets including dry matter accumulation, tuber yield, quality and water use efficiency (WUE) of potato plants, a two-growth season field experiment under mulched drip irrigation was conducted in the desert oasis region of Northwest China. Water deficits, applied at the seedling, tuber formation, tuber expansion and starch accumulation stages, encompassed two distinctive levels: mild (55-65% of field capacity, FC) and moderate (45-55% FC) deficit, with full irrigation (65-75% FC) throughout the growing season as the control (CK). The results showed that water deficit significantly reduced (p < 0.05) above-ground dry matter, water consumption and tuber yield compared to CK, and the reduction increased with the increasing water deficit. A mild water deficit at the tuber formation stage, without significantly reducing (p > 0.05) yield, could significantly increase WUE and irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE), with two-year average increases of 25.55% and 32.33%, respectively, compared to CK. Water deficit at the tuber formation stage increased starch content, whereas water deficit at tuber expansion stage significantly reduced starch, protein and reducing sugar content. Additionally, a comprehensive evaluation showed that a mild water deficit at the tuber formation stage is the optimal RDI strategy for potato production, providing a good balance between yield, quality and WUE. The results of this study can provide theoretical support for efficient and sustainable potato production in the desert oasis regions of Northwest China.

Analysis of Economic Efficiency: Case of Sweet Potato Seed Vine Production in Homabay County, Kenya

Sweet potatoes are not only a nutritious, high value food for the daily diet, but also an important source of income. In the selected survey areas in the Lake Region of Kenya, sweet potato is amongst the major commercially grown crops. Therefore, in order to understand the profitability and performance of sweet potato producers in the study area, this study was implemented. Sweet potato is one of the main commercially produced crops in the selected survey areas in the lake region of Kenya. Therefore, this study was conducted to understand the profitability and performance of sweet potato producers in the study areas. The study employed Cost Function in the analyses of Economic Efficiency of Sweet Potato Seed Vine Production system in Kenya. A multi-stage random sampling technique was used to select sample size of 150 sweet potato vine producers for this study. By use of a structured questionnaire, data was collected on production input, output, input and output prices, characteristics of sampled farmer and plot. Using the maximum likelihood method, the variables of the cost function were estimated. Result revealed that the farm level cost- efficiency was about 56 percent. The research has shown that age and farm size were negative but significantly related to cost-efficiency at ten and one percent respectively. Gender, farming experience, Education, access extension to and credit were positive but significantly associated with cost-efficiency at one percent. The study advocates for policy decision that youthful farmers be inspired to venture into SP vine production and the government to enhance access to education, credit and extension services the ongoing farming.

Special aspect of usage of elements of forced seed production of healthy potato in forest-steppe of Priobye

Special aspect of usage of elements of forced seed production of healthy potato in forest-steppe of Priobye

Prevalence of Verticillium spp. and Pratylenchus spp. in Commercial Potato Fields in Atlantic Canada

A survey of New Brunswick (NB) and Prince Edward Island (PEI) potato fields in crop rotation phase prior to potato production was conducted in fall (October and November) between 2017 and 2021. A total of 113 and 126 fields for NB and PEI, respectively, were surveyed with 20 to 35 fields each year tested in each province. Root lesion nematodes (RLN, Pratylenchus spp.) were detected in 99 and 98% of the fields for NB and PEI, respectively, and two root lesion nematode species, P. crenatus and P. penetrans, were identified in both provinces from 2017 to 2021. Based on 2019 and 2020 results, all surveyed fields in NB and PEI were detected with P. crenatus, while only 29 and 43% of the fields in NB and PEI were detected with P. penetrans, respectively. P. crenatus accounted for 96 and 89% of the populations for NB and PEI, respectively, while P. penetrans accounted for 4 and 11% in commercial fields, respectively. In a single in-depth sampled experimental field with a history of severe potato early dying complex in 2018 in NB, P. crenatus accounted for 88% and P. penetrans was 12%. Verticillium dahliae was detected in 94 and 92% of potato fields in NB and PEI, respectively. All isolates obtained from potato cv. “Russet Burbank” in a baiting trial were V. dahliae, belonging to two lineages. V. albo-atrum was detected in a few fields at very low level, except two fields in NB where V. albo-atrum was predominating over V. dahliae. Rotation crops did not affect V. dahliae population densities for NB and PEI, and did not affect RLN population in NB, but significantly affected RLN in PEI. Fall green cover crop did not affect the populations of RLN and V. dahliae in PEI. The present study revealed that the potato pathogenic root lesion nematode P. penetrans was present in less than 50% of surveyed fields and accounted for around 10% of root lesion nematode population in NB and PEI, and V. dahliae was the dominant species and was present in greater than 90% of surveyed fields in both provinces.